Another big reason there is less crime on military bases --- there is very stringent gun control, not to mention all other sorts of controls. The military is sort of like a fascist dictator who "makes the trains run on time." Low crime, but less freedom. The typical military base also has a much higher ratio of security to people than most communities can strive for. I would also point out that the military has vastly lower (sometimes almost zero) percentages of populations that are at high risk for crime, such as drug abusers and the poor.

An often recurring problem in military history, however, has been that when troops are exposed to extreme violence and casualties many of the traditional 'peacetime' controls lose their effectiveness. When your platoon has been pinned down and you've been wounded and seen friends die, suddenly threats of NJP (non judicial punishment) seem like so much chickensh*t. As they used to say, "What are you going to do, send me to Vietnam?" These problems are intensively discussed in the military, alas no simple solution has been found yet.

Excellent well thought out post.

fozzy:

When your platoon has been pinned down and you've been wounded and seen friends die, suddenly threats of NJP (non judicial punishment) seem like so much chickensh*t. As they used to say, "What are you going to do, send me to Vietnam?" These problems are intensively discussed in the military, alas no simple solution has been found yet.

Your comments about on base gun control were very much to the point. It's hard to conceive of a more peaceable place than a US military installation. However, the quote above doesn't seem to be relevant to the Ft Hood situation. Major Hasan had never been stationed anywhere outside the US.

Gun control on military installations only apply to those who choose to obey these controls. If you are authorized to be on post, it is a simple matter to bring weapons in with you, Fort Hood is like a city. It would be impractical to search every person and vehicle that enters every day.

Once in, the only armed opposition you have are the security forces. Everyone else is unarmed in the main part of post. If you see typical soldiers with weapons in the barracks areas, you can bet they are unloaded.

This practice works extremely well, unless of course you happen to be caught in the vicinity of an incident like this.

You people are kidding. The person who thook this guy down was an outside police officer. Had each and every person been carrying a gun the death toll would not be thirteen. Maybe only one or two. Gun control on this base let the terrorist fire at will for way too long.

LMAO. I guess ckone never saw Full Metal Jacket.

Yeah, that's what we need, freedom to carry all manner of weaponry by all military personel on bases. I mean it isn't like there are any aggressive, violent people in the military who might snap under pressure and start using the weapons to kill people.

Gosh our military leadership is SO stupid to not require everyone to carry guns at all times on US military bases. What were they THINKING? I'm sure they will now see the wisdom in ckone's expert advice and will very soon start 24/7 arming of all our military base personel. It is so obviously the correct solution.

You're right, bsharporflat, an opinion based on movies alone makes one SO informed and greatly bolsters their credibility. Particularly movies about the Vietnam War-- it was SUCH a popular cause and the returned soldiers received SO MUCH RESPECT and understanding from their country that Hollywood would ABSOLUTELY portray the realaities of war and its effects with the greatest accuracy! Especially those writers who have never served!

Actually, a soldier's or marine's training is designed to help them function mentally and rationally in life-or-death situations. And the military does have psychiatric requirements that need to be met so that they don't train nut jobs to become more effective killers-- it's just that the standards decline as the need for personnel far exceeds capacity. Hence, people who never would have passed the minimal requirements under normal/peaceful conditions are let in anyway.

Nevertheless, while there are exceptions, the vast majority of violent, aggressive behavior exhibited by those who served will almost always result from the damage done to those who experience war firsthand, including PTSD. It is addressing the soldier's return and reintegration into society where the military fails its veterans and the country spectacularly.

We have bases in Iraq and Afghanistan that are as large as, and larger, than many bases in the U.S. And every single Soldier carries a full load of ammunition with them all the time.

Haven't heard about any mass shootings there.

shortcut:

We have bases in Iraq and Afghanistan that are as large as, and larger, than many bases in the U.S. And every single Soldier carries a full load of ammunition with them all the time.

Haven't heard about any mass shootings there.

Apparently it does happen though.

<link>

May 11th a soldier opened fire and killed 5 soldiers and wouned 3 more at Camp Liberty.

bsharporflat:

LMAO. I guess ckone never saw Full Metal Jacket.

Yeah, that's what we need, freedom to carry all manner of weaponry by all military personel on bases. I mean it isn't like there are any aggressive, violent people in the military who might snap under pressure and start using the weapons to kill people.

Gosh our military leadership is SO stupid to not require everyone to carry guns at all times on US military bases. What were they THINKING? I'm sure they will now see the wisdom in ckone's expert advice and will very soon start 24/7 arming of all our military base personel. It is so obviously the correct solution.

LMAO Get most of your opinions from watching hollywood movies? No wonder you leftys have sush hate for this country.

Another big reason there is less crime on military bases --- there is very stringent gun control,

I disagree. There isn't much gun control for personnel who live on base other than registration. Civilians can not bring any firearms on base unless it is with permission to hunt or use the range.

not to mention all other sorts of controls. I would also point out that the military has vastly lower (sometimes almost zero) percentages of populations that are at high risk for crime, such as drug abusers and the poor.

I think is more of a reason for the lower crime rate. For the most part off bases are sealed off, have no blight, and are patrolled regularly. Any community that can wall itself in will be more protected.

There are Lefty's in the military and we own guns and we love this country. But we also like common sense. We also think that if you own a gun you should prove you know how to operate it correctly. I would like a system like organ donation on ID's that says I have proven I am not an idiot with a weapon and can operate, maintain and secure one properly.

Having a roomful of people with a gun will not prevent a tragedy if they do not know how to handle one properly.

ckone:

LMAO Get most of your opinions from watching hollywood movies? No wonder you leftys have sush hate for this country.

You knucklehead. I don't make military policy. If you have a problem with it, take it up with the top brass. You obviously think you know more than they do. (and I am hardly a "lefty")

You just sound like one.